I have to hand it to the big brains who run the show at D.C. Comics: They’re doing a good job of trying to get young readers hooked on comics at an early age.

The latest attempt comes in the form of Super Sons: The Polarshield Project, arriving this spring, which is being marketed on the strength of writer Ridley Pearson’s reputation. The book takes a Silver Age contrivance – Batman and Superman both have tween sons, who are the stars of the story – and wraps it in a modern guise. The pretext for the action is how the heroes are trying to stop what’s termed “climate disruption.”

Is it possible to make the fight against global warming exciting? I think Pearson (and artist Ile Gonzalez) do a good job.

Ian Wayne and Jon Kent are likeable protagonists. However, Super Sons isn’t wall-to-wall punches and Bat-devices. There are sizeable sections that will require readers from ages eight to 12 to think in order to follow the plot.

Pearson and Gonzalez have pared their graphic novel down to its essentials. There are no sections of overlong exposition. In other words, the creative team doesn’t talk down to its intended audience.

The Polarshield Project is the first sleek instalment in a larger story. That’s a good move on DC’s part, because it teaches patience, necessary preparation for the kids who will – with any luck – grow up to be the next generation of graphic-novel fans.

There has never been more content for young readers than there is now. Parents, I urge you to take advantage of works like Super Sons.